Detroit — The Red Wings made history on Friday with their first-round pick in Las Vegas.
The Wings selected center Michael Brandsegg-Nygard with the 15th overall pick in the Sphere. Brandsegg-Nygard is the first Norwegian ever selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
Already sporting a professional physique, Brandsegg-Nygard stands 6’1″ and weighs 200 pounds and is the type of talent the Wings have been focusing on for the past few years. He is a dual-play right winger who takes responsibility on both defense and offense, with a hard shot and good playmaking skills. He is a physical player who seeks contact with his strong body and plays with grit.
Brandsegg-Nygard recorded 18 points (eight goals, ten assists) in 41 games with Mora IK in the Swedish Elite League. He recorded five points (three goals, two assists) in five games for Norway at international level.
Brandsegg-Nygard, who is ranked No. 5 by NHL Central Scouting for international figure skaters, surpassed forward Marius Holtet, a Norwegian who was selected 42nd overall (second round) by Dallas in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
“Michael has been one of the most promising talents to come out of Norway for years,” NHL director of European scouting Jukka-Pekka Vuorinen told NHL.com. “He makes good decisions with the puck and has a good feel for the ice. He seems very confident and comfortable with the puck. He is strong on his skates and has quite a quick acceleration. He has smooth hands and his wrist shot is dangerous.”
NHL Entry Draft 2024
▶ Where: Ball, Las Vegas
▶ When: Saturday, (Rounds 2-7)
▶ Time: Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
▶ TV: NHL Network
▶ Tips from the Red Wings: The Red Wings currently have picks in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, as well as Dallas’ fourth-round pick and New Jersey’s seventh-round pick.
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